Episode 109 - Designing the Future with Donna Dupont

As American troubadour Bob Dylan said, “The times they are a changin’.” I’m recording this one week after the 2024 presidential election. Without delving into the specifics of any particular outcome, one thing that is clear is there are going to be some major changes. 

Change can produce a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, even when there are positive changes taking place. It can feel overwhelming, especially when we lose a sense of control over the future.

In reality, there is very little that is in our control. There is a saying that we can’t control people, places, and things. I can only control my reaction to these things, and take the action that I can. 

But what action to take? What can and should a person do when the options of action feel limited? 

To discuss these topics, we have Donna Dupont. Donna is the Founder and Chief Strategist in Foresight & Design for Purple Compass. Donna has a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation, which she has applied in healthcare, environment and sustainability, and generally helping organizations think about and plan for the future. 

Donna and I talk about:

• the process of future and foresight planning,

• why it is important to maintain a sense of agency during times of massive change

• the place and importance of emotion as part of our planning,

• why doing future planning can sometimes feel like therapy, and

• we talk about how the foresight planning process is a vital part of designing positive futures.

Purple Compass https://www.purplecompass.ca/

Donna Dupont https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-dupont/

Episode Intro Music - The Tall Pines - “The Key”

Episode Ending Music - Ketsa - ”Dreaming Days”